Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed’s victory prompts celebrations and the hope that he can get to grips with Somalia’s multiple challenges

Celebrations have erupted on the streets of Somalia after parliamentarians elected a new president, with crowds chanting songs and firing automatic weapons into the night sky.

The election of Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, a 55-year-old former prime minister and dual US-Somali national with a reputation for independence and competence, has raised the hopes of millions of people in the poor and violent east African state.

Somalia is heading to the polls on Wednesday to pick a president in an electoral process that has been marred by allegations of corruption and intimidation.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who came to power in 2012, is seeking a second four-year term.

Twenty-four candidates are in the running.

Presidential hopefuls on Monday held for the first time a televised debate which was dominated by pledges to fight corruption as well as plans on how to tackle insecurity and the armed group al-Shabab.

Mogadishu and surrounding areas are on lockdown after increase in al-Shabab attacks in lead-up to election.

Somalia's capital is on lockdown a day before the parliament meets to elect a new president, with ongoing security concerns and warnings of famine expected to top the agenda for the incoming administration.

Roads in Mogadishu were closed, businesses asked to shut, and schools and universities gave students a two-day break.

In the run up to the Somalia’s presidential election slated for February 8th 2017, I am afraid we would have more of the same as in previous elections: greed, selfish interest, and unqualified pack of candidates, with the exception of perhaps one candidate.

Does Somaliland have political parties or clan parties? Honestly, it doesn’t have political parties. But it has clan parties. Let’s not kid ourselves. Every party is owned by one major clan and other secondary clan(s) that associate with the major clan. We all know which clan owns Kulmiye Party and which clan owns WADDANI Party (Ucid cannot be currently considered a party). Kulmiye is simply a euphemism of Habar Awal and WADDANI is also a euphemism of Habar Yonis.

Somalia's ongoing parliamentary elections have no credibility becauses of vote buying, fraud, intimidation and violence, the country's auditor general said in an exclusive interview with VOA Somali.

Nur Jimale Farah said Electoral College delegates, who are electing members of parliament, are voting for the highest bidder.

"Some votes were bought with $5,000, some with $10,000, and some with $20,000 or $30,000. But not all seats are equal. Some are influential seats and have a lot of candidates competing for them," he said.

The United Nations, African Union, European Union, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, Ethiopia, Italy, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States are deeply concerned over continuing allegations of corruption in Somalia's electoral process and reports of recurring intimidation of prospective candid